Chestnut Street Garage Now Open

New garage will have nearly double the capacity of the Mosteller Garage it replaces.

West Chester -- Parking is getting a whole lot better in downtown with the opening of the Chestnut Street Garage located at 14 East Chestnut Street and Walnut Street. Now there are more options for parking that is convenient, inexpensive and not subject to an overtime parking ticket.

A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the garage on September 7.

"This is an exciting moment for the Borough," said Holly Brown, President of Borough Council and downtown business owner. "For many months the Borough Council has worked with the community and downtown businesses to build a garage we can all be proud of. I think we've met that goal."

The new Chestnut Street Garage is located in the heart of downtown within three blocks of hundreds of businesses. It contains 689 parking spaces plus 16 bicycle lockers, making it the largest parking facility in town. It's designed with a brick exterior to blend in with the Borough's historic downtown and is serviced by three elevators, enhanced security, and both long-term and short-term parking options.

Rates for the long-term parking are $0.75 per half-hour with a maximum of just $9.00 per day no matter how long you stay. You pay for what you use when exiting so there's no need to worry if the meter has expired. The booth attendant takes cash or credit card. When the gates are up, generally on weekends, parking is free. Many merchants and restaurants will validate your garage parking so check with them and lower your parking costs.

There is also a short-term parking option on the ground level with a pay-and-display meter system. It's a two-hour limit (like the on-street meters) so you're subject to an overtime parking ticket if you're running late. Your worry-free parking option will always be the long-term parking option.

Monthly parking is also available.

The Chestnut Street Garage replaces the Mosteller Garage built in 1973. The Borough of West Chester is the owner. JJ DeLuca Company is the contractor and Harman Group is the engineer.

The cost of construction is being paid for through revenues from the parking system throughout the Borough. State Representative Barbara McIlvaine Smith secured a $1-million grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. State Senator Andrew Dinniman secured funding for the solar component that generates electricity from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection funds.

Expert Parking of Philadelphia is the operator of the garage. To take advantage of the parking options at the Chestnut Street Garage or the Bicentennial Garage (20 S High St), contact Ricky Lewis at 610-696-2627 or e-mail rlewis@expertparking.net.